Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-03-17

the delegation from tndt COuutg. 1HS PoO
pie of my county then thought that Gov
ernor Wilson was Democrat of the JEFF
fersonian school who was sound on all pub
lie questions, nor have they seen cause to
change that opinion; but, sir, Governor
Wilson does not come before this joint as
sembly in the regular way and as the nom
inee and candidate of the Democratic par
ty, and consequently cannot expect to re-
ceive the support of his party for the office
of United States Senator, so long at least as
it has a regularly nominated candidate.
But the distinguished gentleman from the
county of Jefferson says that the practice OF
our party has not been uniform in the cleo
ton of a Senator; that we have not always
made caucus nominations, aud that out OF
six United States Senators whom we nave
elected only three have been caucus noml-
nees. This is partially true but the propo,-
sition stated in this form Is unfairly stated,
and amounts to mere lodging of the Is
sue. 1t is true that three OF our Senators
were elected in open session without first
receiving caucus nomination, but that
was not because we did not caucus as a
party, but because on account OF the mum
Der of candidates the caucus was not able
TO effect nomination. But, sir, no one
knows better than the gentleman from JEFF
ferson himself that this is the first time In
the history of the State when any portion
of the Democratic party, or any man or set
of men claiming to be Democrats ever re-
fused to acquiesce in the choice OF the par
tyn0minee. Something has been said about
the election of Senators Davis and Here
ford in 1877. | happened to be member
of the House of Delegates at that time, and
know whereof | speak. We commenced to
caucus at that session about one week be-
fore the time fixed by law for the first bal
lot to be taken by the Legislature, and con
tinued to do 50 night after night until that
ballot was taken, and then we continued to
ballot during the day and caucus at night
for about two weeks until a combination OF
Democrats and Republicans was made
which resulted in the election of the gentle
men already named and the only reason
why we did not make caucus nominations
was because a majority of the caucus could
not agree and not because any Democrat &C.
clined to 90 into caucus or refused TO be
bound by its decision. Precisely the same
thing is true of the election of Senator Ca
pert0n. and while gentlemen who refuse to
20 into or be bound by party caucus de-
plore the election OF wealthy men to the
I United States Senate, and give that as a
reason for such refusal, call their atten-
ton to the fact that the failure of our par
~ to make a caucus nomination in 1877 re-
suited in the election of gentleman who
possessed more wealth than has been pos
se-sed by all of the other Senators comOln-
ed. At the same time, sir: | want to say
that | voted for that gentleman then and
would do SO again if similarly situated.
voted for him not because he WAS man OF
wealth. but because he was Democrat and
was fit TO represent Us in the Senate OF the
United States, and | believe he could be
trusted to do So and sir: l have never had
cause to regret that vote. The honorable
gentleman has taken considerable time to
canvass in detail the records of a number
of United States Senators from other States
of this Union. ! know nothing, sir, about
the methods by which gentlemen have been
elected or defeated for the United States
Senate in other States | know nothing
about elections in Nebraska and California
and elsewhere. am not able to call the
roll of the United States Senate, rs my
frierd seems to be- This may be, sir, be-
cause have never aspired to a seat IN that
body. but | want to say TO the honorable
gentleman that we have business Of more
importance engaging our attention than the
record of Senators from our sister States,
and we have no time and very few OF US
any inclination to cross and rc-cross the
continent in order that we may assist the
people of California in protecting them
selves and their institutions against the en-
croachments of this great hobgoblln OF mo-
uopolv. But the distinguished gentlemen
from Jefferson and other gentlemen from
chat section of the STATE say that the people
they represent are not in favor OF caucus
nominations. When sir, | ask was such =
conclusion reached by them? Was 1t IN
1870. when for the first time in the history
of the State il elected a Democratic GOV
crnor. and conferred that high honor on a
distinguished citizen Of the county OF Hamp-
shire? Was it four years later when another
DISTINGUISHED citizen OF the same county
was nominated and elected as Attorney
General of the State? Was it few years
later when the honorable gentleman from
Jefferson himself was nominated Tor Con
eress in the Second district by Il Democratic
Convention? Or was it last fall when he
was nominated and elected, and when you
Mr. President, and others here, were noml-
mated and elected to the present Leglsla-
ture by Democratic conventions and Dem
ocratic votes? To say, ,ir, that these pco-
pie are opposed to a caucus and 4 caucus
nomination is to say that they are ready to
dash the Democratic party to pieces and to
turn this State and It's institutions over 10
the Republican party. That, sir, Is SIAN
der upon the fair name and reputation OF
the Democrats of that section OF the state
which they do not deserve, and the very
presence of these gentlemen here rs caucus
and convention nominees prOclalmS It's utter
falsity. And now, in conclusion, permit
me to say that there is hut one course for
Democrats to pursue We have candidate
fairly. openly. and honestly nominated.
He is entirely fit for the position and wor
thv of our support. We have no apology
10 offer for his nomination. lie has ceased
to be the individual choice of any man aud
become the candidate and choice OF the
Democratic party We owe It TO our party
and ourselves alike to stand by him. IT Is
possible. sir, that he may be defeated, but
by remaining true to our candidate we VIII
at least be able II preserve the organization
and integrity of our party, and if go down
we must we will go down together and with
our colors hving, and if few men, sailing
under the flag of the Democratic party,
shall. in violation Of all the principles, GUS
toms and usages of that party, betray Us
into the hands of our political enemies, up
an tl.,,, sb,lI he the stirma and RESPONSE